The “CHESS GOLDEN DECADE” Series Of Vinyl LPs on the Checker and Chess Labels in the UK between 1973 and 1975…

CONTENT:
A quick browse through the track lists of these fabulous themed albums will reveal the familiar and the extremely obscure. Even now in March 2009 (36 years after their release) die-hard collectors of Fifties and Sixties Rhythm ‘n’ Blues and Soul will have trouble recognizing some of these artists and their quirky little tunes - Bobby Tuggle, Don & Bob, Rusty York anybody? And that of course is what makes the CHESS GOLDEN DECADE series of eight albums such a great listen.

Released across 1973, 1974 and 1975 (ending with a cheap Sampler album in February 1975), all 8 were compiled by NIGEL GRAINGE and given year-by-year themes for each volume. The original MONO and STEREO recordings were used - although some were dubbed from vinyl because no tapes existed. The artwork was colour coded, each afforded the luxury of a gatefold sleeve with the Chess Horse’s Head logo embossed across the front and rear. On the inner gatefold each sported informative and enthusiastic liner notes by ROB FINNIS, BILL MILLAR and other notable experts - peppered with black and white pictures of the musical offenders between the texts. With quality pressed Phonogram vinyl, a budget price, rarities as well as old favourites – and all that eye-catching artwork – the albums were a joy to look at and hear. The release dates are from PHONOGRAM catalogues for 1975 and 1976 - so they're accurate.

RARITIES/UNRELEASED TRACKS:
There were for the time – several scoops in the series. Probably the biggest was “All My Life” by THE FOUR TOPS. It was from the same sessions that produced their rare debut single on Chess 1623 “Could It Be You? b/w Kiss Me, Baby” – it was a previously unreleased track and a huge draw for Motown collectors. Bobby Charles, Rufus Thomas, Bobby Cisco, Harvey And The Moonglows, Piano Red, Jimmy McCracklin and others featured with previously unreleased material too. [Note: in order to give more info for enthusiasts and collectors, I’ve detailed the original vinyl release information under each track for each volume – also noting earlier issues and which are the unreleased tracks].

COMPILERS:
The series was made with the input of RALPH BASS at the Chess Studios in Chicago, LEN DIAMOND and CHARLIE GILLETT at Radio London, CLIVE RICHARDSON at Shout magazine, ROGER ST. PIERRE, the Soul Columnist at the NME (New Musical Express) and BILL MILLAR and MIKE LEADBETTER of the Blues Unlimited magazine. These UK-based specialist publications also supplied the black and white photos of the artists for the inner gatefolds. The albums were sold at Phonograms Super Mid Price level initially – cheaper that a standard album. Sleeve design was by HARDY/ESCASANY/LODWICK with the front cover photo of the gold Chess piece by ROD SHONE. (The liner notes on the sampler album are by JOHN PEEL and are particularly funny, informative and full of his joy for the music – and they’re now of course terribly poignant in the light of his tragic loss.)

CD EQUIVALENTS:
Chess and its subsidiary labels (Argo, Cadet and Checker) have been done to death on CD over the last few decades, so most of these tracks are out there now in some digital form or another. Many, however, are not easy to locate – especially when it isn’t the usual suspects - Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters or Howlin’ Wolf. Here are a few suggestions on where to look…


1. The MCA/Chess “Blues Classics – Remastered & Revisited” Series of CDs came out of Universal in the States in 2002 and numbers 10 great titles (not all are from the classic Chess periods of the Fifties and Sixties, but most are). I’ve posted a complete list of them on Listmania in Amazon.co.uk and reviewed most (relevant titles to this series are pictured above). They’re ERICK LABSON remasters and the sound quality is fabulous - he has over 800 mastering credits to his name and has almost exclusively handled the entire Chess catalogue.


2. If you want almost all of it – it’s available – but prepare your bank manager first – because they’re now expensive collector’s items. Erick Labson did a huge chunk of the catalogue via the “The Chess Story: 1947-1975” box set in 2000 (15 CDs - pictured above). There’s also 3 smaller part boxes with 5 in each – all four are now deleted and extremely pricey.


3. I also loved the MOJO Magazine’s themed series of 4 Chess titles from 2005. Mojo’s staff choices are an expert mixture of the familiar and the obscure – but all of it good – tracks you should know and would want in your life. They came out in card digipaks with detailed booklets - there’s “Chess Originals” (9830156 - pictured above), “Chess Tearjerkers” (9830154), “Chess Northern Soul” (9830153) and “Soul Sisters” (9830155). They have the “MOJO” logo on the spine and front sleeve. Well worth hunting down.


4. If you just want an excellent overview of the label and its entire output, then 2005’s “Chess Pieces – The Very Best Of Chess Records” set is superb value for money (pictured above). At under £10.00 including p&p from most online retailers, it has 2CDs and a whopping 48 remastered tracks.


5. But the best and cheapest is a new series of discs that turned up in April and December of 2008 called “Chess Chartbusters” Volumes 1 to 6 (pictured above). Clearly aping the Motown Chartbusters market, each has themed artwork, 20 great tracks and cost a fiver (or thereabouts). 120 corkers for £30 is great value in any man’s language.

The UK-only CHESS GOLDEN DECADE Albums Vol.1 to 8 and their SAMPLER LP in detail



1. Chess Golden Decade Volume 1 – “The Early Fifties”
Light Blue Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve
Released in the UK October 1973 on Checker 6445 205 [MONO]

Side 1:
1. Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog (No More Doggin’ Around) – RUFUS THOMAS
[1951 USA 78” on Chess 1492, A-Side (produced Sam Phillips)]
2. Juiced – JACKIE BRENSTON
[1951 USA 78” single on Chess 1472, A-Side]
3. Mardi Gras Mambo – THE HAWKETTS
[Earliest recordings of Art Neville of The Neville Brothers]
[1954 USA 7” single on Chess 7780, A-Side]
4. Reconsider Baby – LOWELL FULSOM
[1954 USA 7” single on Checker 804, A-Side]
5. Most Of All – THE MOONGLOWS
[1955 USA 7” single on Chess 1589, A-Side]
6. White Cliffs Of Dover – THE BLUE JAYS
[1952 USA 78" on Checker 782, A-Side]
7. My Babe - LITTLE WALTER
[1955 USA 7” single on Checker 811, A-Side]
8. Bo Diddley – BO DIDDLEY
[1955 USA 7” single on Checker 814, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. 64,000 Dollar Question – BOBBY TUGGLE
[1955 USA 7” single on Checker 823, A-Side]
2. Tippety Top – THE RAYS
[1956 USA 7” single on Chess 1613, A-Side]
3. I’m Mad – WILLIE MABON and HIS COMBO
[1953 USA 78” on Chess 1538, A-Side]
4. Sincerely – THE MOONGLOWS
[1954 USA 7” single on Chess 1581, A-Side]
5. In My Diary – THE MOONGLOWS
[1955 USA 7” single on Chess 1611, A-Side]
6. Sinner’s Dream – EUGENE FOX
[1954 USA 7” single on Checker 792, A-side]
7. Jock-A-Mo – JAMES ‘SUGARBOY’ CRAW
[1954 USA 7” single on Checker 787, A-Side]
8. See You Later Alligator – BOBBY CHARLES
[1955 USA 7” single on Chess 1609, A-Side]


2. Chess Golden Decade Volume 2 1956 – “Take It Easy Greasy”
Beige Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve
Released in the UK October 1973 on Checker 6445 206 [MONO]

Side 1:
1. Take It Easy Greasy – BOBBY CHARLES
[1956 USA 7” single on Chess 1628, B-Side of “Only Time Will Tell”]
2. Ain’t Got No Home – CLARENCE ‘FROGMAN’ HENRY
[1956 USA 7” single on Argo 5259, A-Side]
3. Troubles, Troubles – CLARENCE ‘FROGMAN’ HENRY
[1956 USA 7” single on Argo 5259, B-Side of “Ain’t Got No Home”]
4. The Music Goes Round & Round – PAUL GAYTEN
[1956 USA 7” single on Argo 5257, A-Side]
5. Driving Home, Part 1 – PAUL GAYTEN
[1957 USA 7” single on Argo 5263, A-Side]
6. A Kiss From Your Lips – THE FLAMINGOS
[1956 USA 7” single on Checker 837, A-Side]
7. When I’m With You – THE MOONGLOWS
[1956 USA 7” single on Chess 1629, B-Side of “See Saw”]
8. Roll Over Beethoven – CHUCK BERRY
[1956 USA 7” single on Chess 1626, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. Tall Dark Handsome Man – BOBBY CISCO
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1650, A-Side]
2. Rock, Rock – BOBBY CISCO
[Unreleased Chess Session]
3. Smokestack Lightnin’ – HOWLIN’ WOLF
[1956 USA 7” single on Chess 1618, A-Side]
4. I Knew From The Start – THE MOONGLOWS
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1646, B-Side of “Over & Over Again”]
5. I’ll Be Home – THE FLAMINGOS
[1956 USA 7” single on Checker 830, A-Side]
6. All My Life – THE FOUR TOPS
[Rare Previously Unreleased 1956 Chess Session]
7. I’ll Turn Square For You – BOBBY CHARLES
[Unreleased Track]
8. Who Do You Love – BO DIDDLEY
[1955 USA 7” single on Checker 814, A-Side]


3. Chess Golden Decade Volume 3 1957 – “Dime Store Pony Tail”
Pink Colour, Card Embossed Gatefold Sleeve, ROB FINNIS Liner Notes
Released in the UK October 1973 on Checker 6445 207 [MONO]

Side 1:
1. The Walk – JIMMY McCRACKLIN
[1958 USA 7” single on Checker 885, A-Side]
2. You Can Suit Yourself – BOBBY CHARLES
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1658, B-side of “No More”]
3. I Can’t Wait – RAY STANLEY
[1957 USA 7”single on Argo 528, B-side of “Over A Coke”]
4. Over The Mountain, Across The Sea – JOHNNIE & JOE
[Johnnie Richardson and Joe Rivers, 1957 USA 7” on Chess 1654, A-Side]
5. The Clock – LEE ANDREWS and THE HEARTS
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1665, B-Side of “Long Lonely Nights”]
6. Long Lonely Nights – LEE ANDREWS and THE HEARTS
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1665, A-Side]
7. Jelly Bean – THE NITE CAPS
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1694, A-Side]
8. Rock This Morning – LOWELL FULSOM
[1957 USA 7” single on Checker 882, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. Dime Store Pony Tail – BOBBY DEAN
[1958 USA 7” single on Chess 1673, B-Side of “Just Go Wild Over Rock’n’Roll”]
2. Flat Foot Sam – OSCAR WILLS [aka TV SLIM]
(This re-recording is credited to O WILLS – his real name. However, it was recorded in 1956 on Cliff 103 under his more common stage name TV SLIM)
[1957 USA 7” single on Argo 527, A-Side]
3. Teardrops – LEE ANDREWS and THE HEARTS
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1675, A-Side]
4. This Love – THE MOONGLOWS
[1958 USA 7” single on Chess 1701, A-Side]
5. Happy, Happy Birthday Baby – THE TUNE WEAVERS
[1957 USA 7” single on Checker 872, A-Side]
(Originally on Casa Grande 4037 earlier in 1957)
6. M.T.Y.L.T.T. – THE DREAM KINGS
(More Than Yesterday Less Than Tomorrow)
[1957 USA 7” single on Checker 858, A-Side]
7. Oh Oh – EDDIE BOYD
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1698, A-Side]
8. Susie-Q – DALE HAWKINS
[1957 USA 7” single on Checker 863, A-Side]


4. Chess Golden Decade Volume 4 1958-59 – “Book Of Love”
Brown Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve, BILL MILLAR Liner Notes
Released in the UK July 1974 on Checker 6445 200 [MONO]
[This LP is actually sports the ‘Chess’ label, but there’s a sticker on the inside of the gatefold stating that ‘Checker” is the correct label (their mistake); also Track 3 on Side 1 of the label only mistakenly credits PIANO RED as PIANO ‘C’ RED]

Side 1:
1. Book Of Love – THE MONOTONES
(Originally released on Mascot 124 in November 1957)
[1958 USA 7” single on Argo 5290, A-Side]
2. Nothin’ Shakin’ – EDDIE FONTAINE
[1958 USA 7” single on Argo 5309, A-Side]
3. Sugaree – RUSTY YORK
(Originally issued earlier in 1959 on Note 10021)
[1959 USA 7” single on Chess 1730, A-Side]
4. 1-2-3 – PIANO RED
[1959 USA Checker Records, Previously Unreleased Session]
5. She’s Alright With Me – HARVEY and THE MOONGLOWS
[1959 USA Chess Records, Previously Unreleased Session]
6. Been So Long – THE PASTELS
(Originally released on Mascot 123 in 1957)
[1958 USA 7” single on Argo 5287, A-Side]
7. The Wobble – JIMMY McCRACKLIN
[Alternate previously unreleased version of his 1958 7” A on Checker 885]
8. Say Man – BO DIDDLEY
[1958 USA 7” single on Checker 931, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. Everybody Rock – JIMMY McCRACKLIN
[1958 USA 7” single on Checker 893, A-Side]
2. He Knows The Rules – JIMMY McCRACKLIN
[1959 USA Checker Records, Previously Unreleased Session]
3. Boogie Rebop – PIANO RED
[1959 USA Checker Records, Previously Unreleased Session]
4. Zombie – THE MONOTONES
[1958 USA 7” single on Argo 5301, B-Side of “Tom Foolery”]
5. This Broken Heart – THE SONICS
(Originally issued on Harvard 801 in early 1959)
[1959 USA 7” single on Checker 922, A-Side]
6. Ten Commandments Of Love – HARVEY and THE MOONGLOWS
[1958 USA 7” single on Chess 1705, A-Side]
7. False Alarm – THE RE-VELS [aka THE REVELS]
[1958 USA 7” single on Chess 1708. A-Side]
8. Legend Of Sleepy Hollow – THE MONOTONES
[1958 USA 7” single on Argo 5321, A-Side]


5. Chess Golden Decade Volume 5 1959-61 – “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl”
Lime Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve
Released in the UK July 1974 on Checker 6445 201 [MONO]

Side 1:
1. But I Do – CLARENCE ‘FROGMAN’ HENRY [aka (I Don't Know Why) But I Do]
[1961 USA 7” single on Argo 5378, A-Side]
2. If I Can’t Have You – ETTA and HARVEY (Etta James and Harvey Fuqua)
[1960 USA 7” single on Chess 1760, A-Side]
3. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl – DON and BOB [Don Level, Bob Love]
[1961 USA 7” single on Argo 5400, A-Side]
4. Goin’ Back To Memphis – (JUMPIN') GENE SIMMONS
[1960 USA 7” single on Checker 948, B-Side to “Bad Boy Willie”]
5. Back To School Blues – DALE HAWKINS
[Alternate Take - Unavailable Elsewhere]
6. My Baby’s Got Soul – LARRY WILLIAMS
[1959 USA 7” single on Chess 1736, A-Side]
7. Louisiana Blues – FREDDY FENDER
[1960 USA Argo Records, Previously Unreleased Session]
8. Just You And I – GUITAR RED
[1961 USA 7” single on Checker 988, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. Every Day Of The Week – THE STUDENTS
(Originally issued on Checker 902 in 1958, B-Side to “I’m So Young”)
[1961 USA 7” single reissue on Argo 5386, B-Side to “I’m So Young”]
2. Knee Socks – THE IDEALS
[1959 USA 7” single on Checker 920, A-Side]
(Was reissued in 1961 on Checker 979 as Johnny Brantley and The Ideals]
3. I Need A Change – THE MIRACLES
[1960 USA, 2nd and last 7” single on Chess 1768, A-Side]
4. You Always Hurt The Ones You Love – CLARENCE ‘FROGMAN’ HENRY
[1961 USA 7” single on Argo 5388, A-Side]
5. I’m So Young – THE STUDENTS
[(Originally issued on Checker 902 in 1958, A-Side)
[1961 USA 7” single reissue on Argo 5386, A-Side]
6. Bad Girl – THE MIRACLES
[1959 USA, 1st 7” single on Chess 1734, A-Side]
7. The Chant – RAMSEY LEWIS
[1959 USA 7” single on Argo 5352, A-Side]
8. Let It Rock – CHUCK BERRY
[1960 USA 7” single on Chess 1747, B-side of “Too Popped To Pop (Casey)”]

6. Chess Golden Decade Volume 6 1961-62 - “Talkin’ Trash”
Yellow Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve
Released in the UK October 1974 on Checker 6445 202 [MONO]

Side 1:
1. Let Me In – THE SENSATIONS
[1961 USA 7” single on Argo 5405, A-Side]
2. Mama Didn’t Lie – JAN BRADLEY
[1962 USA 7” single on Chess 1845, A-Side]
3. Smokey Places – THE CORSAIRS (Featuring The Voice Of Jay "Bird" Uzzell
[1961 USA 7” single on Tuff CH-1808, A-Side]
4. Stop The Wedding – ETTA JAMES
[1962 USA 7” single on Argo 5418, A-Side]
5. Talkin’ Trash – THE VIBRATIONS
[1961 USA Checker Records, was the B-side of “Peanut Butter” on the withdrawn USA 7” single Arvee 5027]
6. Rinky Dink – DAVE ‘BABY’ CORTEZ
[1962 USA 7” single on Chess 1829, A-Side]
7. She’s My Baby – STEVE ALAIMO
(Originally issued in 1957 in the USA on Marlin 6067 as the A-side, it was initially credited to Steve Alaimo and The Redcoats. But this cut is a different version again - which appeared on the "Mashed Potatoes" LP on Checker Records in 1962)
[1961 USA Checker Records, Previously Unreleased Session?]
8. Chicken Scratch – J.C. DAVIS
(James C. Davis, One Time Sax Player for James Brown’s Famous Flames]
[1962 USA 7” single on Chess 1831, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. Peanut Butter – THE MARATHONS [aka THE VIBRATIONS]
[1961 USA 7” single on Argo 5389, A-Side]
2. Watusi – THE VIBRATIONS
[1961 USA 7” single on Checker 969. A-Side]
3. Music, Music, Music – THE SENSATIONS
[1961 USA 7” single on Argo 5391, A-Side]
4. Story Of My Life – ‘BIG’ AL DOWNING
[1962 USA 7” single on Chess 1817, A-Side]
5. Everyday I Have To Cry – STEVE ALAIMO
[1962 USA 7” single on Checker 1032, A-Side]
6. Stormy – THE CORSAIRS
[1963 USA 7” single on Tuff-CH 1847, A-Side]
7. I Got A Woman – STEVE ALAIMO
[1962 USA, A Track off the “Mashed Potatoes” album on Checker Records]
8. Happy Weekend – DAVE ‘BABY’ CORTEZ
[1962 USA 7” single on Chess 134, A-Side]

7. Chess Golden Decade Volume 7 1963-65 – “Hi-Heel Sneakers”
Violet Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve
Released in the UK November 1974 on Chess 6445 203 [STEREO]

Side 1:
1. Hi-Heel Sneakers – TOMMY TUCKER
[February 1964 USA 7” single on Checker 1067, A-Side]
2. Soulful Dress – SUGAR PIE DeSANTO
[August 1964 USA 7” single on Checker 1082, A-Side]
3. Selfish One – JACKIE ROSS
[August 1964 USA 7” single on Chess 1903, A-Side]
4. Voice Your Choice – THE RADIANTS
[December 1964 USA 7” single on Chess 1904, A-Side]
5. Sitting In The Park – BILLY STEWART
[July 1965 USA 7” single on Chess 1932, A-Side]
6. Get Closer Together – JOE TEX
[1964 USA 7” single on Checker 1087, B-Side to “Sit Yourself Down”]
7. Help Me – SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON
[April 1963 USA 7” single on Checker 1036, A-Side]
8. (The Story Of) Woman, Love And A Man (Part 1) – TONY CLARKE
[1964 USA 7” single on Chess 1880, A-Side (Part 2 was the B-Side)]

Side 2:
1. Dancing Danny – THE VIBRATIONS
[1963 USA 7” single on Checker 1061, A-Side]
2. Meddlin’ – LITTLE WALTER
[1963 USA 7” single on Checker 1063, A-Side]
3. One Hundred And Two (Still Can’t Do It Like I Used To) – PIANO RED
[1963 USA Checker Records, Previously Unreleased Session]
4. The Entertainer – TONY CLARKE
[March 1965 USA 7” single on Chess 1924, A-Side]
5. I Do Love You – BILLY STEWART
[February 1965 USA 7” single on Chess 1922, A-Side]
6. I Had A Talk With My Man – MITTY COLLIER
[October 1964 USA 7” single on Chess 1907, A-Side]
7. Temptation 'Bout To Get Me – THE KNIGHT BROTHERS
[May 1965 USA 7” single on Checker 1107, A-Side]
8. Slip-In Mules (No Hi-Heel Sneakers) – SUGAR PIE DeSANTO
[1964 USA 7” single on Checker 1073, A-Side]


8. Chess Golden Decade Volume 8 1965-66 – “The 'In' Crowd”
Pink Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve, ROGER ST. PIERRE Liner Notes
Released in the UK January 1975 on Chess 6445 204 [STEREO]

Side 1:
1. Summertime – BILLY STEWART (George Gershwin cover)
[August 1966 USA 7” single on Chess 1966, A-Side]
2. Rescue Me – FONTELLA BASS
[September 1965 USA 7” single Checker 1120, A-Side]
3. The ‘In’ Crowd – THE RAMSEY LEWIS TRIO
[August 1965 USA 7” single on Argo 5506, A-Side]
4. In The Basement (Part 1) – ETTA JAMES and SUGAR PIE DeSANTO
[August 1966 USA 7” single on Cadet 5539, A-side]
5. We’re Gonna Make It – LITTLE MILTON
[August 1965 USA 7” single on Checker 1105, A-side]
6. It’s A Man’s Man’s World – BIG MAYBELLE [Mabel Louise Smith]
(Cover version of the famous James Brown song)
[1966 USA 7” single on Chess 1967, A-Side]
7. See Me Through – BOBBY WOMACK
[1966 USA Chess Records session, Previously Unreleased]
8. Feel So Bad – LITTLE MILTON
[January 1967 USA 7” single on Checker 1162, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. Wade In The Water – THE RAMSEY LEWIS TRIO
[July 1966 USA 7” single on Cadet 5541, A-Side]
2. Wang Dang Doodle – KOKO TAYLOR
(Written, Produced & Featuring On Backing Vocals – Willie Dixon)
[April 1966 USA 7” single on Checker 1135, A-Side]
3. Don’t Mess Up A Good Thing – FONTELLA BASS and BOBBY McCLURE
[February 1965 USA 7” single on Checker 1097, A-Side]
4. Searching For My Love – BOBBY MOORE and THE RHYTHM ACES
[February 1966 USA 7” single on Checker 1129, A-Side]
5. Come A Long Way – BOBBY WOMACK
[1966 USA Chess Records session, Previously Unreleased]
6. Recovery – FONTELLA BASS
[January 1966 USA 7” single on Checker 1131, A-Side]
7. You Came A Long Way From St. Louis – CHUCK BERRY
(Features THE FIVE DIMENSIONS, Recorded in London in 1965)
[1965, on the Chess Album “Chuck Berry In London”]
8. We’re Gonna Get Married – BO DIDDLEY
[1966 USA 7” single on Checker 1142, A-Side]


9. Chess Golden Decade Sampler
Pictures all 8 volumes on the front, single laminate sleeve
Released in the UK February 1975 on Chess 6830 181
[Liner Notes by JOHN PEEL]

Side 1:
1. See You Later Alligator – BOBBY CHARLES (from Vol.1)
2. Sincerely – THE MOONGLOWS (from Vol.1)
3. Smokestack Lightnin’ – HOWLIN’ WOLF (from Vol.2)
4. Ain’t Got No Home – CLARENCE ‘FROGMAN’ HENRY (from Vol.2)
5. The Walk – JIMMY McCRACKLIN (from Vol.3)
6. Susie-Q – DALE HAWKINS (from Vol.3)
7. Book Of Love – THE MONOTONES (from Vol.4)
8. Ten Commandments Of Love – HARVEY and THE MOONGLOWS (from Vol.4)
Side 2:
1. But I Do – CLARENCE ‘FROGMAN’ HENRY (from Vol.5)
2. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl – DON & BOB (from Vol.5)
3. Rinky Dink – DAVE ‘BABY’ CORTEZ (from Vol.6)
4. Peanut Butter - THE MARATHONS (Vibrations) (from Vol.6)
5. Hi-Heel Sneakers – TOMMY TUCKER (from Vol.7)
6. The Entertainer – TONY CLARKE (from Vol.7)
7. Rescue Me – FONTELLA BASS (from Vol.8)
8. Summertime – BILLY STEWART (from Vol.8)

Joe Walsh Japanese CD Remasters of his 1st 4 solo albums...

The Japanese-only 2004 24-bit CD Remasters of Joe Walsh's first 3 albums "Barnstorm" (1972), "The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get" (1973) and "So What" (1974) complete with vinyl LP Repro sleeves and inners have now become hugely expensive collector's items.

Someone in Japan seems to have noticed this, because the 3 are being 'reissued' on 22 April 2009 in Japan again - but this time along with the missing 4th title - the live set "You Can't Argue With A Sick Mind" from 1975.

They're also putting out The James Gang catalogue when Walsh was with them - "Yer Album" etc - they're the 2000 remasters, but are in card repro sleeves for the first time.

They're all available for pre-order from the 2 excellent Japanese mail-order sites "cdjapan" and "mundojapan".

The “CHESS GOLDEN DECADE” Series Of Vinyl LPs on the Checker and Chess Labels in the UK between 1973 and 1975…

CONTENT:
A quick browse through the track lists of these fabulous themed albums will reveal the familiar and the extremely obscure. Even now in March 2009 (36 years after their release) die-hard collectors of Fifties and Sixties Rhythm ‘n’ Blues and Soul will have trouble recognizing some of these artists and their quirky little tunes - Bobby Tuggle, Don & Bob, Rusty York anybody? And that of course is what makes the CHESS GOLDEN DECADE series of eight albums such a great listen.

Released across 1973, 1974 and 1975 (ending with a cheap Sampler album in February 1975), all 8 were compiled by NIGEL GRAINGE and given year-by-year themes for each volume. The original MONO and STEREO recordings were used - although some were dubbed from vinyl because no tapes existed. The artwork was colour coded, each afforded the luxury of a gatefold sleeve with the Chess Horse’s Head logo embossed across the front and rear. On the inner gatefold each sported informative and enthusiastic liner notes by ROB FINNIS, BILL MILLAR and other notable experts - peppered with black and white pictures of the musical offenders between the texts. With quality pressed Phonogram vinyl, a budget price, rarities as well as old favourites – and all that eye-catching artwork – the albums were a joy to look at and hear. The release dates are from PHONOGRAM catalogues for 1975 and 1976 - so they're accurate.

RARITIES/UNRELEASED TRACKS:
There were for the time – several scoops in the series. Probably the biggest was “All My Life” by THE FOUR TOPS. It was from the same sessions that produced their rare debut single on Chess 1623 “Could It Be You? b/w Kiss Me, Baby” – it was a previously unreleased track and a huge draw for Motown collectors. Bobby Charles, Rufus Thomas, Bobby Cisco, Harvey And The Moonglows, Piano Red, Jimmy McCracklin and others featured with previously unreleased material too. [Note: in order to give more info for enthusiasts and collectors, I’ve detailed the original vinyl release information under each track for each volume – also noting earlier issues and which are the unreleased tracks].

COMPILERS:
The series was made with the input of RALPH BASS at the Chess Studios in Chicago, LEN DIAMOND and CHARLIE GILLETT at Radio London, CLIVE RICHARDSON at Shout magazine, ROGER ST. PIERRE, the Soul Columnist at the NME (New Musical Express) and BILL MILLAR and MIKE LEADBETTER of the Blues Unlimited magazine. These UK-based specialist publications also supplied the black and white photos of the artists for the inner gatefolds. The albums were sold at Phonograms Super Mid Price level initially – cheaper that a standard album. Sleeve design was by HARDY/ESCASANY/LODWICK with the front cover photo of the gold Chess piece by ROD SHONE. (The liner notes on the sampler album are by JOHN PEEL and are particularly funny, informative and full of his joy for the music – and they’re now of course terribly poignant in the light of his tragic loss.)

CD EQUIVALENTS:
Chess and its subsidiary labels (Argo, Cadet and Checker) have been done to death on CD over the last few decades, so most of these tracks are out there now in some digital form or another. Many, however, are not easy to locate – especially when it isn’t the usual suspects - Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters or Howlin’ Wolf. Here are a few suggestions on where to look…


1. The MCA/Chess “Blues Classics – Remastered & Revisited” Series of CDs came out of Universal in the States in 2002 and numbers 10 great titles (not all are from the classic Chess periods of the Fifties and Sixties, but most are). I’ve posted a complete list of them on Listmania in Amazon.co.uk and reviewed most (relevant titles to this series are pictured above). They’re ERICK LABSON remasters and the sound quality is fabulous - he has over 800 mastering credits to his name and has almost exclusively handled the entire Chess catalogue.


2. If you want almost all of it – it’s available – but prepare your bank manager first – because they’re now expensive collector’s items. Erick Labson did a huge chunk of the catalogue via the “The Chess Story: 1947-1975” box set in 2000 (15 CDs - pictured above). There’s also 3 smaller part boxes with 5 in each – all four are now deleted and extremely pricey.


3. I also loved the MOJO Magazine’s themed series of 4 Chess titles from 2005. Mojo’s staff choices are an expert mixture of the familiar and the obscure – but all of it good – tracks you should know and would want in your life. They came out in card digipaks with detailed booklets - there’s “Chess Originals” (9830156 - pictured above), “Chess Tearjerkers” (9830154), “Chess Northern Soul” (9830153) and “Soul Sisters” (9830155). They have the “MOJO” logo on the spine and front sleeve. Well worth hunting down.


4. If you just want an excellent overview of the label and its entire output, then 2005’s “Chess Pieces – The Very Best Of Chess Records” set is superb value for money (pictured above). At under £10.00 including p&p from most online retailers, it has 2CDs and a whopping 48 remastered tracks.


5. But the best and cheapest is a new series of discs that turned up in April and December of 2008 called “Chess Chartbusters” Volumes 1 to 6 (pictured above). Clearly aping the Motown Chartbusters market, each has themed artwork, 20 great tracks and cost a fiver (or thereabouts). 120 corkers for £30 is great value in any man’s language.

The UK-only CHESS GOLDEN DECADE Albums Vol.1 to 8 and their SAMPLER LP in detail



1. Chess Golden Decade Volume 1 – “The Early Fifties”
Light Blue Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve
Released in the UK October 1973 on Checker 6445 205 [MONO]

Side 1:
1. Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog (No More Doggin’ Around) – RUFUS THOMAS
[1951 USA 78” on Chess 1492, A-Side (produced Sam Phillips)]
2. Juiced – JACKIE BRENSTON
[1951 USA 78” single on Chess 1472, A-Side]
3. Mardi Gras Mambo – THE HAWKETTS
[Earliest recordings of Art Neville of The Neville Brothers]
[1954 USA 7” single on Chess 7780, A-Side]
4. Reconsider Baby – LOWELL FULSOM
[1954 USA 7” single on Checker 804, A-Side]
5. Most Of All – THE MOONGLOWS
[1955 USA 7” single on Chess 1589, A-Side]
6. White Cliffs Of Dover – THE BLUE JAYS
[1952 USA 78" on Checker 782, A-Side]
7. My Babe - LITTLE WALTER
[1955 USA 7” single on Checker 811, A-Side]
8. Bo Diddley – BO DIDDLEY
[1955 USA 7” single on Checker 814, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. 64,000 Dollar Question – BOBBY TUGGLE
[1955 USA 7” single on Checker 823, A-Side]
2. Tippety Top – THE RAYS
[1956 USA 7” single on Chess 1613, A-Side]
3. I’m Mad – WILLIE MABON and HIS COMBO
[1953 USA 78” on Chess 1538, A-Side]
4. Sincerely – THE MOONGLOWS
[1954 USA 7” single on Chess 1581, A-Side]
5. In My Diary – THE MOONGLOWS
[1955 USA 7” single on Chess 1611, A-Side]
6. Sinner’s Dream – EUGENE FOX
[1954 USA 7” single on Checker 792, A-side]
7. Jock-A-Mo – JAMES ‘SUGARBOY’ CRAW
[1954 USA 7” single on Checker 787, A-Side]
8. See You Later Alligator – BOBBY CHARLES
[1955 USA 7” single on Chess 1609, A-Side]


2. Chess Golden Decade Volume 2 1956 – “Take It Easy Greasy”
Beige Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve
Released in the UK October 1973 on Checker 6445 206 [MONO]

Side 1:
1. Take It Easy Greasy – BOBBY CHARLES
[1956 USA 7” single on Chess 1628, B-Side of “Only Time Will Tell”]
2. Ain’t Got No Home – CLARENCE ‘FROGMAN’ HENRY
[1956 USA 7” single on Argo 5259, A-Side]
3. Troubles, Troubles – CLARENCE ‘FROGMAN’ HENRY
[1956 USA 7” single on Argo 5259, B-Side of “Ain’t Got No Home”]
4. The Music Goes Round & Round – PAUL GAYTEN
[1956 USA 7” single on Argo 5257, A-Side]
5. Driving Home, Part 1 – PAUL GAYTEN
[1957 USA 7” single on Argo 5263, A-Side]
6. A Kiss From Your Lips – THE FLAMINGOS
[1956 USA 7” single on Checker 837, A-Side]
7. When I’m With You – THE MOONGLOWS
[1956 USA 7” single on Chess 1629, B-Side of “See Saw”]
8. Roll Over Beethoven – CHUCK BERRY
[1956 USA 7” single on Chess 1626, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. Tall Dark Handsome Man – BOBBY CISCO
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1650, A-Side]
2. Rock, Rock – BOBBY CISCO
[Unreleased Chess Session]
3. Smokestack Lightnin’ – HOWLIN’ WOLF
[1956 USA 7” single on Chess 1618, A-Side]
4. I Knew From The Start – THE MOONGLOWS
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1646, B-Side of “Over & Over Again”]
5. I’ll Be Home – THE FLAMINGOS
[1956 USA 7” single on Checker 830, A-Side]
6. All My Life – THE FOUR TOPS
[Rare Previously Unreleased 1956 Chess Session]
7. I’ll Turn Square For You – BOBBY CHARLES
[Unreleased Track]
8. Who Do You Love – BO DIDDLEY
[1955 USA 7” single on Checker 814, A-Side]


3. Chess Golden Decade Volume 3 1957 – “Dime Store Pony Tail”
Pink Colour, Card Embossed Gatefold Sleeve, ROB FINNIS Liner Notes
Released in the UK October 1973 on Checker 6445 207 [MONO]

Side 1:
1. The Walk – JIMMY McCRACKLIN
[1958 USA 7” single on Checker 885, A-Side]
2. You Can Suit Yourself – BOBBY CHARLES
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1658, B-side of “No More”]
3. I Can’t Wait – RAY STANLEY
[1957 USA 7”single on Argo 528, B-side of “Over A Coke”]
4. Over The Mountain, Across The Sea – JOHNNIE & JOE
[Johnnie Richardson and Joe Rivers, 1957 USA 7” on Chess 1654, A-Side]
5. The Clock – LEE ANDREWS and THE HEARTS
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1665, B-Side of “Long Lonely Nights”]
6. Long Lonely Nights – LEE ANDREWS and THE HEARTS
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1665, A-Side]
7. Jelly Bean – THE NITE CAPS
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1694, A-Side]
8. Rock This Morning – LOWELL FULSOM
[1957 USA 7” single on Checker 882, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. Dime Store Pony Tail – BOBBY DEAN
[1958 USA 7” single on Chess 1673, B-Side of “Just Go Wild Over Rock’n’Roll”]
2. Flat Foot Sam – OSCAR WILLS [aka TV SLIM]
(This re-recording is credited to O WILLS – his real name. However, it was recorded in 1956 on Cliff 103 under his more common stage name TV SLIM)
[1957 USA 7” single on Argo 527, A-Side]
3. Teardrops – LEE ANDREWS and THE HEARTS
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1675, A-Side]
4. This Love – THE MOONGLOWS
[1958 USA 7” single on Chess 1701, A-Side]
5. Happy, Happy Birthday Baby – THE TUNE WEAVERS
[1957 USA 7” single on Checker 872, A-Side]
(Originally on Casa Grande 4037 earlier in 1957)
6. M.T.Y.L.T.T. – THE DREAM KINGS
(More Than Yesterday Less Than Tomorrow)
[1957 USA 7” single on Checker 858, A-Side]
7. Oh Oh – EDDIE BOYD
[1957 USA 7” single on Chess 1698, A-Side]
8. Susie-Q – DALE HAWKINS
[1957 USA 7” single on Checker 863, A-Side]


4. Chess Golden Decade Volume 4 1958-59 – “Book Of Love”
Brown Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve, BILL MILLAR Liner Notes
Released in the UK July 1974 on Checker 6445 200 [MONO]
[This LP is actually sports the ‘Chess’ label, but there’s a sticker on the inside of the gatefold stating that ‘Checker” is the correct label (their mistake); also Track 3 on Side 1 of the label only mistakenly credits PIANO RED as PIANO ‘C’ RED]

Side 1:
1. Book Of Love – THE MONOTONES
(Originally released on Mascot 124 in November 1957)
[1958 USA 7” single on Argo 5290, A-Side]
2. Nothin’ Shakin’ – EDDIE FONTAINE
[1958 USA 7” single on Argo 5309, A-Side]
3. Sugaree – RUSTY YORK
(Originally issued earlier in 1959 on Note 10021)
[1959 USA 7” single on Chess 1730, A-Side]
4. 1-2-3 – PIANO RED
[1959 USA Checker Records, Previously Unreleased Session]
5. She’s Alright With Me – HARVEY and THE MOONGLOWS
[1959 USA Chess Records, Previously Unreleased Session]
6. Been So Long – THE PASTELS
(Originally released on Mascot 123 in 1957)
[1958 USA 7” single on Argo 5287, A-Side]
7. The Wobble – JIMMY McCRACKLIN
[Alternate previously unreleased version of his 1958 7” A on Checker 885]
8. Say Man – BO DIDDLEY
[1958 USA 7” single on Checker 931, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. Everybody Rock – JIMMY McCRACKLIN
[1958 USA 7” single on Checker 893, A-Side]
2. He Knows The Rules – JIMMY McCRACKLIN
[1959 USA Checker Records, Previously Unreleased Session]
3. Boogie Rebop – PIANO RED
[1959 USA Checker Records, Previously Unreleased Session]
4. Zombie – THE MONOTONES
[1958 USA 7” single on Argo 5301, B-Side of “Tom Foolery”]
5. This Broken Heart – THE SONICS
(Originally issued on Harvard 801 in early 1959)
[1959 USA 7” single on Checker 922, A-Side]
6. Ten Commandments Of Love – HARVEY and THE MOONGLOWS
[1958 USA 7” single on Chess 1705, A-Side]
7. False Alarm – THE RE-VELS [aka THE REVELS]
[1958 USA 7” single on Chess 1708. A-Side]
8. Legend Of Sleepy Hollow – THE MONOTONES
[1958 USA 7” single on Argo 5321, A-Side]


5. Chess Golden Decade Volume 5 1959-61 – “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl”
Lime Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve
Released in the UK July 1974 on Checker 6445 201 [MONO]

Side 1:
1. But I Do – CLARENCE ‘FROGMAN’ HENRY [aka (I Don't Know Why) But I Do]
[1961 USA 7” single on Argo 5378, A-Side]
2. If I Can’t Have You – ETTA and HARVEY (Etta James and Harvey Fuqua)
[1960 USA 7” single on Chess 1760, A-Side]
3. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl – DON and BOB [Don Level, Bob Love]
[1961 USA 7” single on Argo 5400, A-Side]
4. Goin’ Back To Memphis – (JUMPIN') GENE SIMMONS
[1960 USA 7” single on Checker 948, B-Side to “Bad Boy Willie”]
5. Back To School Blues – DALE HAWKINS
[1960 USA 7” single on Checker 934, B-side to “Liza Jane”]
6. My Baby’s Got Soul – LARRY WILLIAMS
[1959 USA 7” single on Chess 1736, A-Side]
7. Louisiana Blues – FREDDY FENDER
[1960 USA Argo Records, Previously Unreleased Session]
8. Just You And I – GUITAR RED
[1961 USA 7” single on Checker 988, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. Every Day Of The Week – THE STUDENTS
(Originally issued on Checker 902 in 1958, B-Side to “I’m So Young”)
[1961 USA 7” single reissue on Argo 5386, B-Side to “I’m So Young”]
2. Knee Socks – THE IDEALS
[1959 USA 7” single on Checker 920, A-Side]
(Was reissued in 1961 on Checker 979 as Johnny Brantley and The Ideals]
3. I Need A Change – THE MIRACLES
[1960 USA, 2nd and last 7” single on Chess 1768, A-Side]
4. You Always Hurt The Ones You Love – CLARENCE ‘FROGMAN’ HENRY
[1961 USA 7” single on Argo 5388, A-Side]
5. I’m So Young – THE STUDENTS
[(Originally issued on Checker 902 in 1958, A-Side)
[1961 USA 7” single reissue on Argo 5386, A-Side]
6. Bad Girl – THE MIRACLES
[1959 USA, 1st 7” single on Chess 1734, A-Side]
7. The Chant – RAMSEY LEWIS
[1959 USA 7” single on Argo 5352, A-Side]
8. Let It Rock – CHUCK BERRY
[1960 USA 7” single on Chess 1747, B-side of “Too Popped To Pop (Casey)”]

6. Chess Golden Decade Volume 6 1961-62 - “Talkin’ Trash”
Yellow Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve
Released in the UK October 1974 on Checker 6445 202 [MONO]

Side 1:
1. Let Me In – THE SENSATIONS
[1961 USA 7” single on Argo 5405, A-Side]
2. Mama Didn’t Lie – JAN BRADLEY
[1962 USA 7” single on Chess 1845, A-Side]
3. Smokey Places – THE CORSAIRS (Featuring The Voice Of Jay "Bird" Uzzell
[1961 USA 7” single on Tuff CH-1808, A-Side]
4. Stop The Wedding – ETTA JAMES
[1962 USA 7” single on Argo 5418, A-Side]
5. Talkin’ Trash – THE VIBRATIONS
[1961 USA Checker Records, was the B-side of “Peanut Butter” on the withdrawn USA 7” single Arvee 5027]
6. Rinky Dink – DAVE ‘BABY’ CORTEZ
[1962 USA 7” single on Chess 1829, A-Side]
7. She’s My Baby – STEVE ALAIMO
(Originally issued in 1957 in the USA on Marlin 6067 as the A-side, it was initially credited to Steve Alaimo and The Redcoats)
[1961 USA Checker Records, Previously Unreleased Session?]
8. Chicken Scratch – J.C. DAVIS
(James C. Davis, One Time Sax Player for James Brown’s Famous Flames]
[1962 USA 7” single on Chess 1831, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. Peanut Butter – THE MARATHONS [aka THE VIBRATIONS]
[1961 USA 7” single on Argo 5389, A-Side]
2. Watusi – THE VIBRATIONS
[1961 USA 7” single on Checker 969. A-Side]
3. Music, Music, Music – THE SENSATIONS
[1961 USA 7” single on Argo 5391, A-Side]
4. Story Of My Life – ‘BIG’ AL DOWNING
[1962 USA 7” single on Chess 1817, A-Side]
5. Everyday I Have To Cry – STEVE ALAIMO
[1962 USA 7” single on Checker 1032, A-Side]
6. Stormy – THE CORSAIRS
[1963 USA 7” single on Tuff-CH 1847, A-Side]
7. I Got A Woman – STEVE ALAIMO
[1962 USA, A Track off the “Mashed Potatoes” album on Checker Records]
8. Happy Weekend – DAVE ‘BABY’ CORTEZ
[1962 USA 7” single on Chess 134, A-Side]

7. Chess Golden Decade Volume 7 1963-65 – “Hi-Heel Sneakers”
Violet Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve
Released in the UK November 1974 on Chess 6445 203 [STEREO]

Side 1:
1. Hi-Heel Sneakers – TOMMY TUCKER
[February 1964 USA 7” single on Checker 1067, A-Side]
2. Soulful Dress – SUGAR PIE DeSANTO
[August 1964 USA 7” single on Checker 1082, A-Side]
3. Selfish One – JACKIE ROSS
[August 1964 USA 7” single on Chess 1903, A-Side]
4. Voice Your Choice – THE RADIANTS
[December 1964 USA 7” single on Chess 1904, A-Side]
5. Sitting In The Park – BILLY STEWART
[July 1965 USA 7” single on Chess 1932, A-Side]
6. Get Closer Together – JOE TEX
[1964 USA 7” single on Checker 1087, B-Side to “Sit Yourself Down”]
7. Help Me – SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON
[April 1963 USA 7” single on Checker 1036, A-Side]
8. (The Story Of) Woman, Love And A Man (Part 1) – TONY CLARKE
[1964 USA 7” single on Chess 1880, A-Side (Part 2 was the B-Side)]

Side 2:
1. Dancing Danny – THE VIBRATIONS
[1963 USA 7” single on Checker 1061, A-Side]
2. Meddlin’ – LITTLE WALTER
[1963 USA 7” single on Checker 1063, A-Side]
3. One Hundred And Two (Still Can’t Do It Like I Used To) – PIANO RED
[1963 USA Checker Records, Previously Unreleased Session]
4. The Entertainer – TONY CLARKE
[March 1965 USA 7” single on Chess 1924, A-Side]
5. I Do Love You – BILLY STEWART
[February 1965 USA 7” single on Chess 1922, A-Side]
6. I Had A Talk With My Man – MITTY COLLIER
[October 1964 USA 7” single on Chess 1907, A-Side]
7. Temptation 'Bout To Get Me – THE KNIGHT BROTHERS
[May 1965 USA 7” single on Checker 1107, A-Side]
8. Slip-In Mules (No Hi-Heel Sneakers) – SUGAR PIE DeSANTO
[1964 USA 7” single on Checker 1073, A-Side]


8. Chess Golden Decade Volume 8 1965-66 – “The 'In' Crowd”
Pink Colour, Embossed Card Gatefold Sleeve, ROGER ST. PIERRE Liner Notes
Released in the UK January 1975 on Chess 6445 204 [STEREO]

Side 1:
1. Summertime – BILLY STEWART (George Gershwin cover)
[August 1966 USA 7” single on Chess 1966, A-Side]
2. Rescue Me – FONTELLA BASS
[September 1965 USA 7” single Checker 1120, A-Side]
3. The ‘In’ Crowd – THE RAMSEY LEWIS TRIO
[August 1965 USA 7” single on Argo 5506, A-Side]
4. In The Basement (Part 1) – ETTA JAMES and SUGAR PIE DeSANTO
[August 1966 USA 7” single on Cadet 5539, A-side]
5. We’re Gonna Make It – LITTLE MILTON
[August 1965 USA 7” single on Checker 1105, A-side]
6. It’s A Man’s Man’s World – BIG MAYBELLE [Mabel Louise Smith]
(Cover version of the famous James Brown song)
[1966 USA 7” single on Chess 1967, A-Side]
7. See Me Through – BOBBY WOMACK
[1966 USA Chess Records session, Previously Unreleased]
8. Feel So Bad – LITTLE MILTON
[January 1967 USA 7” single on Checker 1162, A-Side]

Side 2:
1. Wade In The Water – THE RAMSEY LEWIS TRIO
[July 1966 USA 7” single on Cadet 5541, A-Side]
2. Wang Dang Doodle – KOKO TAYLOR
(Written, Produced & Featuring On Backing Vocals – Willie Dixon)
[April 1966 USA 7” single on Checker 1135, A-Side]
3. Don’t Mess Up A Good Thing – FONTELLA BASS and BOBBY McCLURE
[February 1965 USA 7” single on Checker 1097, A-Side]
4. Searching For My Love – BOBBY MOORE and THE RHYTHM ACES
[February 1966 USA 7” single on Checker 1129, A-Side]
5. Come A Long Way – BOBBY WOMACK
[1966 USA Chess Records session, Previously Unreleased]
6. Recovery – FONTELLA BASS
[January 1966 USA 7” single on Checker 1131, A-Side]
7. You Came A Long Way From St. Louis – CHUCK BERRY
(Features THE FIVE DIMENSIONS, Recorded in London in 1965)
[1965, on the Chess Album “Chuck Berry In London”]
8. We’re Gonna Get Married – BO DIDDLEY
[1966 USA 7” single on Checker 1142, A-Side]


9. Chess Golden Decade Sampler
Pictures all 8 volumes on the front, single laminate sleeve
Released in the UK February 1975 on Chess 6830 181
[Liner Notes by JOHN PEEL]

Side 1:
1. See You Later Alligator – BOBBY CHARLES (from Vol.1)
2. Sincerely – THE MOONGLOWS (from Vol.1)
3. Smokestack Lightnin’ – HOWLIN’ WOLF (from Vol.2)
4. Ain’t Got No Home – CLARENCE ‘FROGMAN’ HENRY (from Vol.2)
5. The Walk – JIMMY McCRACKLIN (from Vol.3)
6. Susie-Q – DALE HAWKINS (from Vol.3)
7. Book Of Love – THE MONOTONES (from Vol.4)
8. Ten Commandments Of Love – HARVEY and THE MOONGLOWS (from Vol.4)
Side 2:
1. But I Do – CLARENCE ‘FROGMAN’ HENRY (from Vol.5)
2. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl – DON & BOB (from Vol.5)
3. Rinky Dink – DAVE ‘BABY’ CORTEZ (from Vol.6)
4. Peanut Butter - THE MARATHONS (Vibrations) (from Vol.6)
5. Hi-Heel Sneakers – TOMMY TUCKER (from Vol.7)
6. The Entertainer – TONY CLARKE (from Vol.7)
7. Rescue Me – FONTELLA BASS (from Vol.8)
8. Summertime – BILLY STEWART (from Vol.8)

"RocknRolla". A Review of the 2008 Movie issued on DVD and BLU RAY in 2009.

“What Do You Think We Are…Criminals!”

Guy Ritchie makes films for guys about guys, and frankly "my son", this one is loving it...

I say this because there's appalling film critic snobbery surrounding Ritchie and I for one can't stand it. Ok, so "RocknRolla" is not Shakespeare - nor David Lean - so what! When you sit down to it, you do so with a grin on your puss the size of Britain's National Debt. Why - because you just know you're going to spend the next two hours giggling and grimacing (for all the wrong reasons of course) and you're going to be rightly and royally entertained. And bluntly how many British film directors-cum-writers are 'this' good - can entertain you 'this' much? In an industry that seems to have lost the knack of actually turning us on, on the strength of "RocknRolla", I for one will be looking out for the Blu Ray box of Guy Ritchie films and not yet another version of Bourne or Aliens (good as they may be).

The story is layered and smart; the dialogue is either crude or ballbreakingly funny - or frequently both - and the casting is varied and immaculate - all of them clearly enjoying themselves. The songs are apt and used sparingly and there's an already classic one-liner that had many of our customers in the shop laugh out loud when we played the CD the other day (dialogue inbetween the music tracks).

The good news for fans is that the BLU RAY version of "RocknRolla" is beautifully filmed and I think actually suits Ritchie's film style to a tee - it makes the sharp suits and the London locations shine more. Actor wise - "RocknRolla" is crammed full of great cameos and has a lot of classy leading double acts. Tom Wilkinson is the bigwig old-school London criminal Lenny Cole with Mark Strong as Archie his sidekick. Both are typically outstanding. Gerard Butler as One Two and Idris Elba as Mumbles (the drug dealer Stringer Bell in The Wire) play their counterparts - the likely lads who get caught up in deals way over their small-time heads. Jimi Mistry is a corrupt London councillor, Jeremy Piven and Ludacris as producers and nightclub owners who can't control Toby Kebbell as the drugged up rock star Johhny Quid (feigning death to up his sales). The girls are all molls, there's the unkillable Russians, the thieving philosophizing junkies, ticket-touting gangsters covered in Bling living in Range Rovers and yobs who talk about art, culture and the beauty of cigarettes as they whack a difficult bouncer over the head with a bin lid....luverly!

I'll freely admit that as a dabbler in screenplays myself, I sat there with a huge streak of jealousy running through me, because there's truly fantastic writing and skill on show here. One example is the scene where Gerard Butler is sat at a dinner table in a posh London restaurant with the corporate lawyer totty that is Thandie Newton. Butler's character clearly fancies her, but suspects she's just 'too' dangerous and out of his league. Slipping the bulging loot bag he's delivering under the table towards her long and unfeasibly delicious legs, he relays how the swag was attained...with a "bit of bother". It then cuts back to the actual robbery - which of course goes horribly wrong - and then just get progressively worse - not too clever types doing not too clever things. From this hilarious flashback, the movie keeps flicking forward again to their sexually loaded conversation - and back again to more carnage with an escalating pumping soundtrack. It's kind of Ritchie's trademark style, but it's so damn good that you don't even notice how cleverly its been worked out and edited together. It's slick stuff and impressively so.

The movie is not a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination, but it's a damn good watch and more importantly - wildly entertaining. And come the sly and clever ending, you're left wanting more - and there's even a hint of a sequel in the closing credits.

In the vernacular "RocknRolla" is a blinding bit of fun and on Blu Ray - looks and is - the absolute business. Highly recommended and a job well done.

"The Escapist" - A Review of the 2008 Movie Released on DVD in January 2009.

“I’m Gonna Make Things Right…”

Prison breaks have been done to death in movies over the last few decades, but what puts "The Escapist" a cut above the rest is the clever way the story is told and the top-notch ensemble cast of Irish, Scottish and English actors - many of whom break form to get down and dirty in sewers and tube tunnels for the role.

Doubling as a London nick - the turn of the century tiny-celled warren that is Kilmainham jail in Dublin is brilliantly and evocatively used - it feels like old school Wormwood Scrubs. Confidently directed by Rupert Wyatt - who also co-wrote the script with Daniel Hardy - you get a tense, scary, yet human telling of lost lives and the hell of internment without hope.

Using a technique of present day mixed with flashbacks to explain how the characters got to where they are in the present day - the film manages to keep your attention - and as it unfolds slowly, it wins you over to its characters - whether they be good or bad.

In this cauldron of steaming shower sex and bare-knuckle hard types - the screws turn a blind eye and take backhanders as the cons are ruled by an amoral and ruthless Damian Lewis (Captain Winters in Band Of Brothers) - a drug-dealer not to be crossed on any count. Steven Mackintosh is truly electrifying as the gay psycho Tony who gets first dibs on the fresh meat that arrives in prison (Dominic Cooper, boyfriend of the lead girl in Mamma Mia is one of them). As Mackintosh is the sidekick of the psychotically volatile Damian Lewis character Rizza, drugged up and twitching Tony can do what he wants - including even getting to old-timer Frank. Liam Cunningham is so good too as the likeable Brodie - a steadying influence who plays chess with Frank and has a fear of tunnels - yet has often constructed them. Throw in the permanently hooded boxer Lenny played by a driven and violent Joseph Fiennes and Seu Jorge as the Rasta hustler Viv - you have a full team in place. And you can imagine what happens next...

But none of it would rise above the ordinary if it weren't for the great acting all round and especially a stunning central performance from Brian Cox as Frank Perry - anchoring the whole movie with a humanity that's genuinely touching. 14 years into a stretch and still hanging on what marbles and cunning he has left, Frank is a repentant father who longs for one of his many letters to his daughter (an 8-year old when he went in) to be replied to. When he hears what's been happening to her as a young adult in the outside world, he knows he has no choice... Cox is truly fantastic in this film - giving the film a heart - gravitas - taking it away from the clichéd road of graphically showing only brutality and dehumanization.

There's a very satisfying and strangely uplifting ending - and you're left with a feeling that little gem deserves far more attention on DVD than it got at the cinema.

A wicked little movie with a great all-round cast - put "The Escapist" high on your rental/to buy list - recommended.

POLYDOR "FLASHBACK” Series Of Vinyl LPs Issued In The Mid To Late 1970s In The UK - An Alphabetical List With Detailed Summaries and Track Listings…

Almost all of these artists are part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. There are 31 books in all - copy and paste the following into Google (or whatever search engine you're using) and it will bring you to my Author's Page on AMAZON which will give you a pictorial display of all - B00LQKMC6I

POLYDOR "Flashback" COMPILATION SERIES of VINYL LPs

TITLES:
Although neither the label nor the sleeve gave this series any official title (most are simply credited in lists and discographies as self-titled compilations), this series of single LPs became known as "Flashback" or "ROCK FLASHBACKS" because of that title on the sticker that accompanied many of the early issues (see picture above).

PRICE:
The albums were also pitched at a Special Price of £1.47 (a lot cheaper than the full price LP of 1975) and the compilations generally featured early or rare material by the artist. The Flashback stickers disappeared on the 2nd run of issues and the label went from their Polydor Standard imprint to Polydor Special (Their Budget Label). Almost all of these compilations are simply 'self titled' - "Roy Buchanan" "Focus" etc – but those that aren't are noted below ("Live" for Rory Gallagher, "Vol.2" for Cream etc).

COPYRIGHT/RELEASE DATES:
Very few of the compilations (except towards 1978) had a copyright date on the record label or rear sleeve (i.e. 1975 or 1976), but instead had the copyright date of the material on the label - which has led to some confusion on eBay at times about when these albums were released. Some label variations away from Polydor also occurred, Verve, MGM, RSO etc. The release dates I've provided are from a 1979 Music Master 'Special Presentation Copy' Catalogue by JOHN HUMPHRIES - an insider hardback catalogue that lists exact release dates accurately for everything after 1974...I believe a lot of these release dates are therefore first time in the public domain within this post.

ARTWORK:
I've only included the album covers in this series, its presentation being a centered photo against a colour background sleeve – it became the series trademark look and was devised by VINCENT McAVOY. There are many other albums on Polydor Special like "Clapton" (RSO Special 2394 186) from 1978, but they tended to be straightforward reissues of early LPs.

ALPHABETICAL LIST – ARTISTS and TITLES

1. Roy Buchanan (Polydor Special 2482 275)
2. Eric Burdon and The Animals (Metro Special 2356 142)
3. Cream (Polydor Standard 2384 067)
4. Cream Vol.2 (RSO Special 2479 701)
5. Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity (Polydor Standard 2384 062)
6. Fairport Convention (Polydor Standard 2384 047)
7. Focus (Polydor Special 2384 070)
8. Rory Gallagher (Polydor Standard 2384 066)
9. Rory Gallagher – Live (Polydor Special 2384 079)
10. Golden Earring (Polydor Special 2482 329)
11. Richie Havens (Polydor Special 2482 273)
12. Jimi Hendrix (Polydor Standard 2343 080)
13. Jimi Hendrix, Vol.2 (Polydor Special 2343 086)
14. Lifetime featuring John McLaughlin etc (Polydor Special 2482 179)
15. John Mayall (Polydor Special 2482 272)
16. Medicine Head (Polydor Special 2384 069)
17. Pink Fairies (Polydor Special 2384 071)
18. Rare Bird (Polydor Special 2384 078) 1977
19. Stone The Crows (Polydor Special 2482 279)
20. Taste (Polydor Special 2384 076)
21. The Velvet Underground (MGM Special 2354 033)
22. Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention (Verve Special 2352 057)

23. Various – Medium Rare (Polydor Special 2482 381)
24. Various – Rare Tracks (Polydor Special 2482 274)

ALPHABETICAL LIST – ARTISTS and TITLES - DETAILED


1. Roy Buchanan (Polydor Special 2482 275) - released April 1976
[Compilation of tracks from the UK LPs "Roy Buchanan" (1972), "Second Album" (1973), "That's What I Am Here For" (1974) and "Rescue Me" (1975)]
Side 1: Sweet Dreams/Tribute To Elmore James/Roys Bluz/Cajun/Country Preacher/After Hours
Side 2: The Messiah Will Come Again/Filthy Teddy/Wayfaring Pilgrim/Please Don’t Turn Me Away/She Once Lived Here/In The Beginning


2. Eric Burdon and The Animals (Metro Special 2356 142) - released July 1975
Side 1: Good Times/Sky Pilot/San Francisco Nights/Paint It Black/When I Was Young/See See Rider
Side 2: Ring Of Fire/River Deep Mountain High/Monterey/Help Me Girl/I'm An Animal/To Love Somebody


3. Cream (Polydor Standard 2384 067) - released December 1974
[Consists of their debut album "Fresh Cream" from late 1966 plus their 1st UK 7" 45-single "Wrapping Paper" and "The Coffee Song" (previously unreleased in the UK on LP at the time of this release)]
Side 1: N.S.U./Sleepy Time Time/Dreaming/Sweet Wine/Spoonful/Wrapping Paper
Side 2: Cat's Squirrel/Four Until Late/The Coffee Song/Rollin' And Tumblin'/I'm So Glad/Toad


4. Cream Vol.2 (RSO Special 2479 701) - released April 1978
Side 1: I Feel Free/Those Were The Days/World Of Pain/Doin' That Scrapyard Thing/Lawdy Mama/What A Bringdown
Side 2: Deserted Cities Of The Heart/Dance The Night Away/Anyone For Tennis/We're Going Wrong/Passing The Time/Crossroads


5. Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity (Polydor Standard 2384 062) - March 1975
Side 1: Let The Sunshine In/The Road To Cairo/Take Me To The Water – I'm Going Back Home/Why (Am I Treated So Bad)/Light My Fire/Save Me/A Kind Of Love In
Side 2: This Wheel's On Fire/Break It Up/Tramp/Season Of The Witch/Save The Country/Indian Rope Man



6. Fairport Convention (Polydor Standard 2384 047) released July 1975
[Straightforward reissue of their 1968 debut album (stereo version) on Polydor]
Side 1: Time Will Show The Wiser/I Don't Know Where I Stand/If (Stomp)/Decameron/Jack O’Diamonds/Portfolio
Side 2: Chelsea Morning/Sun Shade/The Lobster/It's Alright Ma, It's Only Witchcraft/One Sure Thing/M1 Breakdown


7. Focus (Polydor Special 2384 070) - released July 1975
[Band featured Jan Akkerman, Thisj Van Leer, Bert Butler, Cyril Havermans, Colin Allen, Pierre Van Der Linden, Martin Dresden, Hans Glevver]
Side 1: Hocus Pocus/Round Goes The Gossip/Love Remembered/House Of The King
Side 2: Early Birth/Focus II/Carnival Fugue/Janis/Elspeth Of Nottingham/Tommy/Sylvia


8. Rory Gallagher (Polydor Standard 2384 066) - released March 1975
[Consists of tracks from his 1st and 2nd solo albums "Rory Gallagher" and "Deuce", both from 1971 on Polydor]
Side 1: Used To Be/Sinner Boy/For The Last Time/Hand's Up/Just The Smile
Side 2: Crest Of A Wave/I'm Not Awake Yet/There's A Light/I Fall Apart/Don't Know Where I'm Going


9. Rory Gallagher – Live (Polydor Special 2384 079) - released April 1977
[Consists of tracks from "Live! In Europe" from 1972 and the 2LP set "Irish Tour '74" from 1974, both on Polydor]
Side 1: Cradle Rock/Tattoo'd Lady/Pistol Slapper Blues/Walk On Hot Coals
Side 2: In Your Town/Who's That Coming/Messing With The Kid


10. Golden Earring (Polydor Special 2482 329) - released October 1976
Side 1: Back Home/Buddy Joe/Kill Me (Se Soir)/She Flies On Strange Wings (Part 1)/I Sing My Song/Avalanche Of Love/One Huge Road/The Song Is Over
Side 2: Radar Love/Stand By Me/Song Of A Devil’s Servant/Landing/All Day Watcher/Candy's Going Bad


11. Richie Havens (Polydor Special 2482 273) - released March 1976
[Compilation of tracks from 1967's "Mixed Bag" through to "Mixed Bag II" from 1975]
Side 1: Here Comes The Sun/Ooh Child/I Don't Need Nobody/Minstrel From Gault/End Of The Seasons
Side 2: It Was A Very Good Year/Someone Suite/Open Your Eyes/She's Leaving Home/Tight Rope/I Pity The Poor Immigrant/The Indian Prayer


12. Jimi Hendrix (Polydor Standard 2343 080) - released March 1975
Side 1: Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)/Ezy Rider/Little Wing/Love Or Confusion/House Burning Down/Johnny B. Goode
Side 2: All Along The Watchtower/Little Miss Lover/Power To Love/The Drifter's Escape/Angel


13. Jimi Hendrix Vol.2 (Polydor Special 2343 086) - released October 1976
Side 1: Freedom/Gypsy Eyes/Remember/Castles Made Of Sand/Stone Free/Straight Ahead
Side 2: In From The Storm/I Don't Live Today/Crosstown Traffic/Are You Experienced


14. Lifetime featuring John McLaughlin, Jack Bruce, Tony Williams and Larry Young (Polydor Special 2482 179) - released March 1975
Side 1: One Word/A Famous Blues/Vashkar/Emergency
Side 2: Two Worlds/Spectrum/Big Nick/Vuelta Abajo


15. John Mayall (Polydor Special 2482 272) - released April 1976
[Compilation – "Accidental Suicide" features Eric Clapton and Mick Taylor on Guitars – the front cover miscredits Track 1, Side 1 as "The Years Are Gone"]
Side 1: Ten Years Are Gone/Mess Around/Room To Move/Don't Waste My Time/Accidental Suicide/Red Sky
Side 2: Nature’s Disappearing/Television Eye/High Pressure Living/The Law's Must Change


16. Medicine Head (Polydor Special 2384 069) - released July 1975
[Compilation – tracks from the albums "Dark Side Of The Moon" (1972), "One & One Is One" (1973) and "Thru' A Five" (1974)]
Side 1: Rising Sun/How Does It Feel/ Kum On/Out On The Street/The Seasons & The Signs/Indian Queen
Side 2: Cajun Kick/Slip And Slide/All The Fallen Teenangles/Only To Do What Is True/White Dove/Another Lay/Sittin' In The Sun/ One & One Is One


17. Pink Fairies (Polydor Special 2384 071) - released July 1975
Side 1: The Snake/City Kids/Wargirl/Portobello Shuffle/Heavenly Man/Do It/Pigs Of Uranus
Side 2: Well Well Well/Chromium Plating/I Went Up, I Went Down/Say You Love Me/Street Urchin


18. Rare Bird (Polydor Special 2384 078) - released April 1977
[Compilation – tracks from the albums, "Epic Forest" (1972), "Somebody's Watching" (1973) and "Born Again" (1974)]
Side 1: Body And Soul/Epic Forest/Passing Through/Diamonds/Turn Your Head/
Virginia
Side 2: Don't Be Afraid/Hey Man/Reaching You/Hard Time/Redman/Somebody's Watching


19. Stone The Crows (Polydor Special 2482 279) - released October 1976
[Featured Maggie Bell, Jim Dewar, Jimmy McCulloch]
[Compilation – tracks from the albums “Stone The Crows” (1970), “Ode To John Law” (1970), “Teenage Licks” (1971) and “Ontinuous Performance” (1972 – deliberately spelt without the ‘c’)]
Side 1: Big Jim Salter/Love 74/Touch Of Your Loving Hand/Sad Mary/Good Time Girl
Side 2: On The Highway/Mr. Wizard/Sunset Cowboy/Raining in Your Heart/Seven Lakes


20. Taste (Polydor Special 2384 076) - released March 1976
[Compilation – tracks from the albums “Taste” (1969), “On The Boards” (1970) and “Live Taste” (1971)]
Side 1: Blister On The Moon/Railway And Gun/Hail/Leaving Blues/Sinner Boy/Born On The Wrong Side Of Time
Side 2: Same Old Story/If I Don’t Sing I’ll Cry/Gamblin’ Blues/Morning Sun/Sugar Mama/Eat My Words


21. The Velvet Underground (MGM Special 2354 033) - released March 1976
[Compilation – Label miscredits “I’m Set Free” as I’m So Free”]
Side 1: White Light-White Heat/What Goes On/Venus In Furs/That's The Story Of My Life/Here She Comes Now/Beginning To See The Light/Jesus
Side 2: Run Run Run/Some Kinda Love/The Gift/I'm Set Free/I Heard Her Call My Name


22. Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention (Verve Standard 2352 057) - March 1975
[Compilation – Contains tracks from “Freak Out!” (1967), edits from "We're Only In It For The Money" (1968), two single-only tracks (“Why Don’t You Do Me Right” and “Big Leg Emma”), “Absolutely Free” (1967), “Lumpy Gravy” (1968) and “Cruising With Ruben & The Jets” (1969). “Excerpt From Lumpy Gravy” on Side 1 is credited to The Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Orchestra]
Side 1: Why Don't You Do Me Right/Who Needs The Peace Corps/Concentration Moon/Mom & Dad/Bow Tie Daddy/Harry, You're A Beast/What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body?/Absolutely Free/Cheap Thrills/Excerpt From Lumpy Gravy/Wowie Zowie
Side 2: Flower Punk/Later That Night/Let's Make The Water Turn Black/Lonely Little Girl/Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance/What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body? (Reprise)/America Drinks/Status Back Baby/Uncle Bernie's Farm/Son Of Suzy Cream Cheese/Big Leg Emma


23. Various – Medium Rare (Polydor Special 2482 381) - released April 1977
Side 1:
1. “Crackers” by FOCUS [exclusive mix, 1975]
2. “Come To The Sunshine” by VAN DYKE PARKS
[Non-Album A-Side of a USA 7" single on MGM Records 13570, 1966]
3. “When Can I Come Home?” by LEE DORSEY
[Non-Album A-Side of a USA 7" single on Polydor 14147, 1972]
4. “Trees” by GALLAGHER and LYLE
[Non-Album A of their debut 7” single on Polydor BM 56170 from 1967]
5. “The Reason” by THUNDERCLAP NEWMAN
[A-side of their 4th UK 7” single on Track Records 2094 003 from 1970]
6. “Daddy Daddy” by BIRDS BIRDS
[Non-Album B-side of the 1966 ultra-rare 7” single on Reaction 591 005; contains members of BIRDS and GODS, tie-ins with THE CREATION, Ronnie WOOD of FACES and STONES, URIAH HEEP…]
7. “Man Of Constant Sorrow” by GINGER BAKER’S AIR FORCE
[UK 7” single version on Polydor 56380 from 1970]
8. “Foxfire” by BOBBY THOMPSON


Side 2:
1. “On Your Way Down” by LEE DORSEY
[Non-Album A-side of a USA 7" single on Polydor 14181, 1973]
2. “O Avondrood” by FOCUS
(the track “Red Sky At Night” from the “Ship Of Memories” compilation from 1977, but with Dutch Lyrics instead of English)
3. “Number Nine” by VAN DYKE PARKS
[Non-Album A of his debut 7” single on MGM Records MGM 1301 from 1968]
4. “Sarah’s Crazy Child” by JOHN’S CHILDREN [pre T.REX]
[B-Side of the ultra-rare withdrawn UK 7" single "Midsummer Night's Scene" on Track 604 005, 1967] £4000.00 Plus
5. “In The Crowd” by GALLAGHER and LYLE
(Non-Album B of their debut 7” single on Polydor BM 56170 from 1967)
6. “More Tea Vicar” by MAINHORSE [featuring PATRICK MORAZ of YES]
[from the 1971 "Mainhorse" LP on Polydor]
7. “Freedom For The Stallion” by LEE DORSEY
[A-side to a UK 7” single on Mojo 2093 009 from 1972]
8. “Devil Dance” by BOBBY THOMPSON


24. Various – Rare Tracks (Polydor Special 2482 274) - released April 1976
[Compilation of mostly rare 7" single releases; Record Collector Price Guide Value for 2010 issue follows after each entry]
1. Love Makes Sweet Music by THE SOFT MACHINE
[Non-Album A-Side of their debut UK 7” single on Polydor 56151 from 1967] £150.00
2. Anyone For Tennis (The Savage Seven Theme) by CREAM
[A-side of their 4th UK 7” single on Polydor 56258 from 1968] £10.00
3. To Fly Away by KEVIN GODLEY
[Exclusive track to the label sampler “Marmalade –100% Proof” from 1969 on Marmalade 643 314] £15.00
4. If I Had A Ribbon Bow by FAIRPORT CONVENTION
[Non-Album A-Side of their Debut UK 7” single on Track 604 020, 1967] £75.00
5. You Turned My Bitter Into Sweet by LINDA LEWIS
[A-Side of her debut UK 7” single on Polydor 56173, 1967] £80.00
6. Sunshine Day by JETHRO TOE
(Non-Album A-side from 1968 of their Debut 7” single on MGM Records 1384 – Jethro Tull, miscredited as Jethro Toe) £500.00
7. Mister Pleasant by NICKI HOPKINS & THE WHISTLING PIANO
[A-Side of his 2nd UK 7” single on Polydor 56175, 1967] £18.00
8. Zoot Suit by THE HIGH NUMBERS
[Non-Album A-side of THE WHO’s debut UK 7” single on Fontana TF 480 from 1964] £500.00
9. I'm Gettin' Tired (Of Drinkin' And Gamblin' Etcetera) by JACK BRUCE
[Non-Album A-Side of his debut UK 7” single on Polydor BM 56036, 1965] £70.00

Side 2:
1. Rootin’ Tootin’ by JACK BRUCE
[Non-Album B-Side of his debut UK 7” single on Polydor BM 56036, 1965] £70.00
2. Just A Little Bit by STU BROWN AND BLUESOLOGY
[ELTON JOHN as Reg Dwight]
[Non-Album B-side of their only UK 7” single “Since I Found You Baby” on Polydor 56195, 1967] £300.00
3. Aeroplane by JETHRO TOE
(Non-Album B-side from 1968 of their Debut 7” single on MGM Records MGM 1384 – Jethro Tull, miscredited as Jethro Toe) £500
4. Desdemona by JOHN'S CHILDREN [Marc Bolan of T.Rex]
[A-Side of their 3rd UK 7” single on Track 603 003, 1967] £125.00
5. Take My Advice by SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE [unreleased at the time]
6. Dolly Dagger by JIMI HENDRIX [1970 recording, unreleased at the time]
7. Ain’t That Just Too Bad by ALEX HARVEY AND HIS SOUL BAND
[A-Side of his 3rd UK 7" Single on Polydor BM 56017, 1965] £45.00
8. Feelin’ Reelin’ Squeelin’ by THE SOFT MACHINE
[Non-Album B-side to to their Debut 7” single on Polydor 56151 from 1967) £150.00

PS: see also listing for "Pop History" series of double-albums on Polydor out of Germany - separate blog